ZHUJI, China, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Zhejiang Lions edged the Sichuan Blue Whales 97-96 in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) semifinals here on Sunday, meaning Hamed Haddadi's huge triple double was in vain.
Zhejiang's star point guard Sun Minghui was rested, while Miroslav Radulica scored 28 points and 18 rebounds, Hu Jinqiu had 18 points, and substitute Zhao Jiaren added 18 points and 10 assists.
Haddadi contributed 28 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists for Sichuan, the 35-year-old is the first player to register a triple double this season. Han Shuo scored 22 points and six assists.
Sichuan opened the game with a 12-3 run before Zhejiang cut the lead to 22-21 to end the first quarter. Haddadi finished the first half with 24 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists, giving Sichuan a 52-47 lead at the break.
Zhejiang fell behind by 13 points midway through the third quarter, but the game became tight when Haddadi was substituted out before his fifth foul. The teams were level at 77 heading into the fourth quarter.
Sichuan regained the lead with a 10-4 run but Zhejiang fought back to tie the game 90-90 with three minutes left. The situation got worse for Sichuan as Haddadi fouled out, and Radulica scored five points in the last 36 seconds to secure the victory for Zhejiang. Enditem
